Movies, animation, comics, gaming, digital art and tech. Want to know what’s happening in Africa and beyond? Here’s the Run Down for this week.
NEWS OUT OF AFRICA – Comics/Animation
Know Nookhema?
Cameroon-based, Nookhema Game Studio is a creative company that specialises in creating original and innovative concepts and technology that draw on the culture of Cameroon and Africa as a whole. Their subsidiary, Joinplay Games, is also just as passionate about creating African inspired content and has been currently working on an Afro-fantast game titled, Amma: Chronicles of Lost Stars.
Now, both companies will be teaming up to bring some exciting new entertainment for lovers of all things African and animation.
Announcing Arthur and Ndiki, A Brand New Animated Series!
Creative Director and Founder of Joinplay Games, Michel Nkuindja has recently announced that Joinplay Games, in partnership with Nookhema Game Studios, will be developing a brand new animated series titled Arthur and Ndiki: Time Travel!
The family friendly series will use the increasingly popular, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics) to teach children about the prominent heroes of African history.
Watch the trailer here https://youtu.be/Y1UFHL6AYKc
Follow Joinplay Games social media to keep posted on any updates.
Check out more https://gamesindustryafrica.com/2021/04/28/noohkema-interactive-unveils-animation-project/
Jember: The First Ethiopian Superhero Comic
Three years ago, Ethiopian-based creative company, Etan Comics released the very first Ethiopian superhero comic, Jember. The comic follows the story of a young man named Amanuel Tilah, an intelligent graduate student struggling to find a career after school. After several failed attempts, Amanuel turns his gaze to America but just as he is contemplating leaving his country, he is gifted with super abilities that change the course of his life.
Jember is a unique comic that draws on East African history and mythology to tell a coming of age story that is both modern and distinctly Ethiopian. In the beginning, only one issue of this story existed, now there are two more.
Jember The First Ethiopian Superhero Comic
In April of 2021, Etan Comics launched a Kickstarter to get funding to assist in the printing of the completed Issue #3 of Jember.
The campaign was a success and backers had the opportunity to pick up Issue 1 and 2 of Jember, along with an accompanying set of comics from other countries within Africa, including Zimbabwe.
This unique story which explores what it means to be a hero in the present day is now available to read.
Find out more https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/etancomics/jember-1-3-coming-of-age-african-superhero-adventure-story
NEWS BEYOND AFRICA –Comics/Entertainment
Tim Fielder’s INFINITUM
Written by Tim Fielder, who is dubbed as the OG Afrofuturist, INFINITUM: AN Afrofuturist Tale is a futuristic graphic novel that tells a story love, loss and redemption. Set both in the past and fictional future, INFINITUM follows the story of a revered African king named King Aja Oba who is cursed with immortality. After the death of his wife and son, the immortal king is left to wander the earth alone, witnessing key historical events and eventually being thrust in the middle of an intergalactic war.
INFINITUM: An Afrofuturist Tale is OUT!
After having worked with entertainment giants like Marvel and Ubisoft Entertainment, INFINITUM will be the first of Fielder’s own personal projects to be released on a mainstream platform.
Hopefully like Black Panther did, the story will go a long way in reshaping the way Black stories are told and Black people are portrayed in media. Released on January 19, 2021 and published by Harper Collins, INFINITUM: An Afrofuturist Tale is out now and available to purchase.
Check out more https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/infinitum-afrofuturist-tale-tim-fielder-book-interview-black-history-month